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Inventories of plant species in zoos

Discussion in 'Speculative Zoo Design and Planning' started by Haliaeetus, 18 Apr 2022.

  1. Haliaeetus

    Haliaeetus Well-Known Member

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    14 Mar 2021
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    Location:
    Orléans, France
    Hello,
    Do you know some inventories of the plant species that could be maintained in zoos, and especially in animals enclosures, aviaries and greenhouses ?
    I would like to know the species that can grow in every climate or continent.
    Thanks.
     
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  2. LARTIS

    LARTIS Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    18 Dec 2017
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    Location:
    Europe
    If i remember correctly I have come across an invetory once or twice but I can not remember what institution that was.

    You can however find some listings on some of the Zoo's websites. Artis Burgers and Zürich offer at least partialy an obline guide to their botanic collection.

    Literature on these exist as well, what species you can keep with Reptiles and other Species.

    Some specialised forums offer lists and experience reports which species worked for the certain type of animals.

    Plant Explorer | ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo english
    Planten | Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem only fully available in dutch
    Tier- & Pflanzenlexikon | Zoo Zürich only fully available in german but latin names d help
     
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  3. LARTIS

    LARTIS Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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  4. Zooplantman

    Zooplantman Well-Known Member

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    Location:
    New York, USA
    In greenhouses and large indoor exhibits one can grow just about anything for which suitable environment and light is provided by the architects. But are you asking what plants will thrive with animals? That varies with many circumstances including the specific animal species, the size of the enclosure, the population of animals in the enclosure, the environmental conditions, etc. There is no way to say (with some exceptions) "This plant does well indoors with all animals."
    It is just as complicated outdoors. There can be no list of "plants that do well with gorillas" because what can be grown well in Orleans is not what grows well in Delhi or in Montreal.
    Matching plantings to animals is a specialty and must be tailored to the specific situation. And you must eliminate all toxic plants, rely only on plants that are commercially available in suitable sizes and which will grow well in the conditions you are providing.
    You might be interested in groups like
    www.azh.org
    or this web site: ZooPlants.Net
    If you look at lists of plants used for specific exhibits, as one can see on www.zoolex.org, or the links @LARTIS kindly provided, there is no way to tell which plants are inside animal enclosures and which are in public areas.
     
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